Category: Small 4x4s 
Price Range: No data available
Good to drive, practical, unusual styling; enough off-road ability for most people.
Not a 'real' 4x4; slightly odd-looking.
Think of this as a family car with added versatility rather than as an off-roader - but it's a good one.
Seat's Altea compact MPV is a striking-looking sporty family five-seater. It seats adults front and rear in comfort, can carry a fair amount of luggage and it's fun to drive. The longer Altea XL is even more practical, and this is the version on which the four-wheel-drive Freetrack 4 is based.
The Altea Freetrack 4 comes with 2.0-litre diesel (168bhp) and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol (197bhp) engines and suitably toughened-up suspension, underbody and exterior extremities. Its black plastic-covered bumpers may look a little odd, but they will offer extra protection from knocks and scrapes.
And with its automatic Haldex coupling four-wheel drive system, which operates in front-wheel-drive mode under normal road conditions to save fuel, it's simple to drive on rougher, more slippery terrain. It's not an all-out off-roader, but it's all the 4x4 most family car buyers will ever need.
There's one specification level for both the engines, and it includes a good selection of comfort, entertainment and safety kit. The petrol costs £20,495 and the diesel is £21,395.
